By John Ikani
CNN’s chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour has announced she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Amanpour, 63, made her announcement from her home studio in London, returning to the airwaves after a four-week hiatus that she described as a “bit of a roller coaster” during which she received her diagnosis.
“I’ve had successful major surgery to remove it, and I’m now undergoing several months of chemotherapy for the very best possible long-term prognosis, and I’m confident,” she said. “I’m also fortunate to have health insurance through work and incredible doctors who are treating me.
She said she was sharing her news “in the interest of transparency, but in truth, really, mostly, as a shoutout to early diagnosis.”
Noting the “millions” of people around the world with ovarian cancer, Amanpour urged women to educate themselves on the disease, get regular screenings and “ensure that your legitimate medical concerns are not dismissed or diminished”.
What you should know
Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms – like a bloated, swollen or painful stomach – are easily mistaken for less serious health problems.
It is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. Ovarian cancer is usually fatal, and is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in women across the globe.
